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There is no specific treatment for Colorado tick fever. People can treat fever and muscle aches with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Most people only develop mild symptoms and recover in 1 to 2 weeks.

Tularemia

A bacterium called Francisella tularensis spreads a rare disease called tularemia.

The lone star tick, wood tick, and dog tick can transmit the infection. There are reports of tularemia in most states, but it is most common in the south-central part of the U.S.

There are different forms of tularemia depending on how the bacteria enters the body. Ulceroglandular is the form of the disease that can be transmitted through a tick bite. Symptoms may include a skin ulcer at the site of the bite, fever, and swollen glands.

Treatment usually includes taking antibiotics for several weeks.

Symptoms

Ticks vary in size and can be red, brown, or black.

Small ticks may measure around 1 to 2 millimeters (mm), which is about the size of a pinhead. Larger ticks tend to be about 3 to 5 mm. Ticks become larger as they consume more blood, and they may grow to about the size of a marble.

A tick bite does not always cause symptoms. When they do, the following may develop:

a raised bump at the point of the bite

redness

itching

a burning sensation in the area of the bite

The main way to tell the difference between a tick bite and bites from other bugs is that when a tick bites a human, it often stays attached to the skin for several days.

Most people notice a tick bite when they find the tick still attached.

Risk factors

Various types of ticks bite humans. In the U.S., ticks tend to be more common in the Midwest and on both coasts.

Ticks live in trees, grass, and shrubs. They are more active in April through September, as they typically prefer warmer months. Anyone who spends time outdoors, especially in wooded or grassy areas, is at risk for a tick bite.

The risk for developing a tick-borne illness depends where a person lives in the U.S.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 96 percent of people with Lyme disease caught it in one of 14 states, mostly in the eastern or upper Midwestern states.

When to see a doctor

A tick bite is often harmless, but knowing when to see a doctor could prevent a potentially fatal tick-borne disease.

Seek medical assistance if you cannot remove all of the tick. The longer a tick stays attached, the greater the risk becomes that a disease will develop.

Seek treatment if flu-like symptoms or rashes develop after a tick bite. Rapid treatment greatly improves the chance of a full recovery.

A doctor should also assess any rash that develops at the site of the bite. Although a small bump may be normal, a larger rash, especially with a distinctive bull's-eye pattern, may be a sign of Lyme disease.

Tick removal

It is important to remove ticks from the skin as soon as possible. Use a fine-tipped tweezer.

Grasp the tick as close to the surface of the skin as possible. While applying even pressure, pull upward away from the skin. Avoid bending the tick.

After removing the tick, people should make sure they have successfully removed the mouthpart of the tick. If the mouthpart remains in the skin, take steps to remove it.

Wash the skin with soap and water after removal.

Prevention

DEET spray can help prevent tick bites.

Ticks are common all over the U.S., which can make completely avoiding them difficult. Fortunately, preventing tick bites does not mean avoiding the outdoors.

The following measures can help reduce the chances of a tick bite:

wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants and tucking them into socks when outdoors in wooded areas

showering as soon as possible after being outdoors in case a tick is attached to the skin

considering wearing light-colored clothing when hiking or hunting, as these make it easier to spot a tick crawling on them

Click here for an excellent range of DEET products available for purchase online.

Takeaway

Ticks are parasites that are most common in Midwestern and coastal U.S. states.

Most tick bites are not harmful. However, some can cause a range of diseases, including Lyme disease, Colorado tick fever, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Some of these conditions might result in extreme complications.

Treatment for many of these infections involves antibiotic medication and OTC pain relief. Tick bites can be tricky to prevent, but insect repellent and clean clothing can help.

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